fleeting memories

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fleeting memories" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe memories that are temporary or quickly forgotten, often evoking a sense of nostalgia or transience. Example: "As I walked through the old neighborhood, I was flooded with fleeting memories of my childhood adventures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The flashbacks feel like fleeting memories.

The New York Times - Arts

I have only the most fleeting memories of our day at The House That Ruth Built.

The New Yorker

"I wanted to explore the stark paradox in photography itself, which is capturing small deaths and fleeting memories, looking back in time and freeze framing".

Independent

40 (2000) 1469–1487; J.M. Woolfe, Inattentional amnesia, in: V. Coltheart (Ed)., Fleeting Memories, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 1999] and change blindness [M.M. Hayhoe, What guides attentional selection in natural environments?

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Urban young people have only fleeting memories of white oppressors, and they yearn for jobs, computers and cellphones, which are often unattainable luxuries in this time of severe food shortages and sharp economic decline.

The New York Times

I did tune in when Denzel Washington won, I tuned in when Halle Berry won and I think I tuned in when Jamie Foxx won – but other than that I only have fleeting memories.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Good rosé may well be more than a fleeting memory.

The New York Times - Food

But for the most part, our fleeting memory difficulties are from normal age-related changes in the brain.

Harvard University

Most of the fleeting memory problems that we experience with age reflect normal changes in the structure and function of the brain.

Harvard University

In the fast movements and the Menuetto, the ensemble was trim, tight and energetic; the balance problems of the Adagio seemed a fleeting memory.

The New York Times - Arts

Though the technology gauge came roaring back late that same afternoon, it has since retraced the downward path, leaving the 5,000 mark a fleeting memory.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fleeting memories", consider the emotional impact you want to convey. The phrase often evokes a sense of nostalgia or the transient nature of experience.

Common error

Avoid using "fleeting memories" when you mean repressed memories, which are memories that are unconsciously blocked from awareness due to their traumatic nature. "Fleeting memories" are simply those that fade quickly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fleeting memories" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "fleeting" modifies the noun "memories". According to Ludwig, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

23%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fleeting memories" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe memories that are transient or quickly fade from consciousness. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in written English across various contexts. It is found most frequently in news and media, academia, and scientific writing. When employing this phrase, it's useful to consider the nuanced emotional impact you want to achieve, often evoking nostalgia or a sense of transience. Remember to distinguish "fleeting memories" from repressed memories, which refer to something entirely different.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief memories

Replaces "fleeting" with "brief", underscoring the concise duration of recollections.

short memories

Uses "short" in place of "fleeting", indicating limited duration of memories.

temporary memories

Uses "temporary" instead of "fleeting" to mean that memories are transient.

volatile memories

Highlights the unstable or quickly changing nature of memories.

single memories

Replaces the plural "memories" with a singular form, focusing on a solitary instance of recollection.

fleeting stories

Substitutes "memories" with "stories", implying brief narratives or accounts.

fleeting impressions

Replaces "memories" with "impressions", focusing on the sensory or emotional impact.

unique memories

Emphasizes the distinctiveness and individuality of recollections.

fleeting perceptions

Substitutes "memories" with "perceptions", emphasizing subjective understanding.

fleeting reminders

Shifts the focus from memories to the prompts or cues that evoke them.

FAQs

How can I use "fleeting memories" in a sentence?

You can use "fleeting memories" to describe brief or quickly fading recollections, such as, "As I flipped through the old photo album, I was overcome with "fleeting memories" of my childhood."

What are some synonyms for "fleeting memories"?

Alternatives to "fleeting memories" include "transient memories", "brief recollections", or "ephemeral reminiscences", each carrying a slightly different nuance.

Is it appropriate to use "fleeting memories" in formal writing?

Yes, "fleeting memories" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The appropriateness depends on the overall tone and style of your writing, not the phrase itself.

What is the difference between "fleeting memories" and "vivid memories"?

"Fleeting memories" are those that are quickly forgotten or indistinct, while "vivid memories" are clear, detailed, and easily recalled.